We Remember

COOK, Derek

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It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Derek Cook on August 10, 2017, after a brief battle with Cancer. Derek will be greatly missed by his wife Jennifer, sons Michael (Kate), Jared and Jason. His brother Philip (Pam), sisters Wendy (Jim), Sheila (David), and Kelly (Bob).

Derek recently retired from Okanagan College where he taught for 12 years in the Business Faculty. He came late to his career at the College, but in it, found his calling for teaching.

As requested there will be no funeral service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Kelowna General Hospital Foundation or the Canadian Cancer Society.

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Derek taught me the first three Accounting courses at Okanagan College and helped me tremendously. I wasn’t convinced if i should pursue Accounting until i attended his class. Every topic he taught was presented in such a clear and warm manner. He really knew how to simplify the difficult parts of Accounting. I am so grateful for the care and effort he put into teaching me and my class. I’m very sorry to hear that he is no longer with us, and i give my sincerest condolences to his family.

I worked with Derek for 7 of his 12 years at the College. He was a class act… always cheerful, helpful, constructive and willing to help others. As a colleague Derek was exceptional in his approach to others, including fellow staff members and students. He was very highly regarded and respected by all…..he did it the old-fashioned way….by respecting others. Always ready to listen and provide counsel, Derek was unique in his gentlemanly manner of dealing with people. I think I echo the positive sentiments of all who have had dealings with him at our College. I admired and respected Derek and share the sadness and loss of this exceptionally great individual. Will miss you and remember you for as long as we all live. Goodbye, my friend!
Jim Burns

I worked with Derek for 7 of his 12 years at the College. He was a class act… always cheerful, helpful, constructive and willing to help others. As a colleague Derek was exceptional in his approach to others, including fellow staff members and students. He was very highly regarded and respected by all…..he did it the old-fashioned way….by respecting others. Always ready to listen and provide counsel, Derek was unique in his gentlemanly manner of dealing with people. I think I echo the positive sentiments of all who have encountered him at our College. I admired and respected Derek and share the sadness and loss of this exceptionally great individual. Will miss you and remember you for as long as we all live. Goodbye, my friend!
Jim Burns

To the Cook family, I extend my deepest condolences.
I am so saddened to hear of Derek’s passing. I had the absolute pleasure of having Derek as a professor multiple times during my time at Okanagan College, and he was one of the best. He had a deep impact on my time at Okanagan. He truly cared about his students, always pushing us to do better, and always made himself available to have a conversation about our classes and careers.
I’m sure he has touched many people’s lives in a significant way and he will never be forgotten.

With broken hearts we want to express our deep love and heartfelt condolences and prayers to each of you.
Dear Jennifer, you were the love of our brother’s life for the past 35 years and we saw how he lit up when you walked into the room. We are so thankful for the many years of love and devotion to one another that you shared right to the end of his life here on earth. Thank you, too, for the strength and comfort that you were to Derek in the past several months as you came alongside your precious husband through the hardest time of your lives together.
To his dear children, Michael and Kate, Jared and Jason, we know how deeply he loved his family and how very proud he was of each of you. He wanted so much to be there for you and to share more time and memories with you. Our hearts are breaking for each of you to have had to say goodbye to your dad so early in your young adult lives.
Derek was a very dear brother and a wonderful, loving son to his mom and dad. We miss him more than we can put into words and although our hearts are deeply grieved, they are even more so, for each of you.
In the days ahead we pray, too, that many precious memories of Derek will bring comfort to your grieving hearts.

With deepest sympathy and our heartfelt and ongoing prayers,
Wendy and Jim, Sheila and David, Kelly and Bob and our families

Derek really was ‘a great human being’, as stated so simply and eloquently by our mutual colleague and business professor, Bob Groves. There are many fortunate students in Canada and Germany who learned from Derek. We were very fortunate also to have such a wonderful colleague and friend. Derek will be missed greatly and remembered always with fondness. I took several photos of Derek at OC Convocations, which are posted on his FaceBook page, including his final profile picture. Permission granted to use all of these photos in Derek’s memory. My deepest condolences to Derek’s family. Good-bye Derek, thankyou for your friendship and rest in peace.

I worked with Derek at the BDC, Human Resources in Toronto. He was really a great person. I am so sorry to hear about his passing. My deepest condolences to you and the family. I remember when he graduated from U of T with his MBA and he invited me to his graduation and it was a pleasure to meet you. Hope you and the boys (now men) are doing well.

I met Derek while working with the BDC. He was always respectful and courteous and had a smile for everyone. I was going through an extremely difficult time with management in Calgary. Although I didn’t know Derek very well, I learned that he came to my aide at Head Office where he was working at the time. I will always be extremely grateful to Derek because he worked a miracle for me and did so when he had nothing to gain personally. He was a very special person. My heartfelt condolences go out to his family.

I worked with Derek at the FBDB in Kamloops many years ago where he met Jennifer. He always took the staff out to lunch for their birthday. We lost touch when he moved from Vancouver to back East, but always remembered Derek and Jennifer as they were special friends to me. Jennifer please contact me when you get this. I am deeply sorry for your loss.

I am so sad to learn of Derek’s passing and am sorry for your loss Jennifer. Brad and I always enjoyed our time and chats with you both as our neighbors for several years in Kettle Valley. Our thoughts are with you and your children during this difficult time.

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